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Happy Birthday!

Happy 3rd Birthday!

I can't believe my little girl is turning 3! She still seems like such a little baby to me. I can vividly remember the first time I saw her face and instantly knew she had Down syndrome, but also knew in the same instant that she would be the joy of my life and everything would be okay. Today I am thankful for the opportunity to be her mother and for God's amazing grace! I will post pics of today later. We aren't having her party until next weekend.

We're Still Here

Haven't posted in two months! What a slacker! With Christmas, Abbi's Bday coming up and two weddings it has been a little crazy. All here is well. Abbi is doing great. However since she is getting a little older, we are having sleeping issues. It seems as is she takes a nap during the day of any duration she doesn't want to sleep until 11pm or so. I am a person who is ready for bed around 9:30pm so this is greatly affectly my sleep pattern. She has also decided to let us know when she doesn't like something which becomes very interesting during meal times. Gone are the days of my sweet baby who ate whatever I put in front of her with a smile. Now we pass by Mc D's and she yells... French Fry!!! It actually sounds a little more like Fr Fiii. But it is a start.

Her evals thru the school system are off to a good start. We are only asking for OT and Speech. Don't need preschool services when I have my mom. She does such a great job with Abbi. We are going to start her in a small preschool in the fall for a few hours a day a few days a week. Nerve wrecking but it has to happen sometime I know.

She has also decided that she doesn't like people talking on microphones or loud clapping noises. We tried Sesame Street Live this year and we lasted about 5 minutes before she was screaming and climbing me like a ladder. We are told this is a phase and will pass. Oh how I hope so!! Anyone else out there have any advice on this new thing of being scared of clapping and microphones???

My Holiday Miracle!

It seems that each year around this time Abbi gives me a new present for which to be thankful. Her first Thanksgiving she started clapping her hands. Last year around this time she began to walk. This year she gave me the best one yet!
As you may remember from my last post I was praying for her to look at me and say mama. Well yesterday I got my prayer of 2 and 1/2 years answered. When I came home yesterday she met me at the door and said "MAMA" and hasn't stopped saying it since! I only imagined in my wildest dreams what it would feel like to be called mama since she was born. There has been a new bond form between us that I can't explain. It's like she has always been my daughter but now it feels more real b/c she realizes that I'm her mom.
I have been getting her to say it as much as possible since yesterday so she won't forget!!! I just love to hear her say it! My heart soars each time she does.

More good news today from her kidney doctor. Her tests so far are okay. We don't have to go back for a few months. She even peed in the potty to give the urine sample. The doctor was impressed! So was I!!

Today I am thankful for my family's health and our jobs. It seems that so many people are losing both lately. God has been so good to us and I don't ever want to focus on what others may consider negative things such as Abbi having Down syndrome. She is healthy!! She is normal! Both of which I prayed for while carrying her. God has answered my prayers each and every day that I get to be with her is a day to be thankful! I have learned so much since she was born. I can't wait to see what else she will teach me about life!

A lady in Sam's Club came up to us last week and looked at Abbi and said "you're one of God's angels aren't you little one" . At first I wasn't sure what she meant, but the more I think about it the more I begin to realize that she just might be right about our kids with Down syndrome. Abbi is my little piece of heaven on earth! God has lent her to me to teach me about how life should be lived. Thank you Lord for my Valentine from heaven as our pastor called her since she was born on Valentine's day.

Mama!

We went to Nashville this past weekend for Abbi's oral motor therapy evaluation. at the beginning of the eval the therapist showed her my picture and asked "who is this?" Well what comes out of her mouth but "mama"!!!!! I was so excited I nearly cried. Ofcourse now she won't repeat it. Oh well it is a start!

Maybe that will be my Christmas gift this year!

I visited the Special Ed Inclusive Headstart today. It seems like a good program, but I am honestly looking for something that is more structured. Maybe I am just too picky. It is hard to be a teacher and put your child in the care of another teacher b/c you can pick out so many things that need to be changed. We'll see what happens. Her IEP meeting isn't until January and we don't have to make a decision about preschool for several months after that. I am just praying for direction!

Happy Halloween!

Reading to Mommy

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